Adjustable Rod Features

ABSTRACT

There is provided a lock mechanism for an adjustable rod. The lock mechanism provides a manually locking state and an automatic locking state. The automatic locking state provides a more secure locking engagement than the manual locking state. There is also provided improved end cap systems that minimize the number of components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No.16/943,282, filed Jul. 30, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/880,483, filed Jul. 30, 2019, which arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of this application relates to adjustable supportrods and, more particularly, a lock mechanism and end caps foradjustable support rods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adjustable rods are used horizontally to support shower curtains ordrapery. They also can be used vertically to hold baskets and otheritems. One common vertical use is a shower caddy. Typical adjustablerods include an outer rod and an inner rod that slides telescopically inand out of the outer rod to adjust the overall length of the rods. Alock mechanism secures the outer and inner rods together when adjustedto the desired length.

Adjustable end caps also can be used with adjustable rods. The end capscan be used to further secure the rods between their opposing supportsurfaces, such as walls. Many adjustable end caps include complicatedsystems.

There is a need to improve the lock mechanism so that sufficient lockingforce is applied to prevent slippage between the two rods. There also isa need to improve adjustable end cap systems to simplify construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable rod embodying features ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the adjustable rod ofFIG. 1 showing a lock mechanism in an unlocked state;

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional view of the portion of the lock mechanism ofFIG. 2 showing the lock mechanism in a locked state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lock mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a wedge shaft of the lock mechanism ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a rod insert of the lock mechanism ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one half of the rod insert of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view the other half of the rod insert of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a wedge of the lock mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the wedge of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is cross-section view of right and left end cap systems;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative end cap system;

FIG. 13 is a central cross-section view of the end cap system of FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a central cross-section view of a left end cap of the end capsystem of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is another central cross-section view of the left end cap ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a left rod insert of the end cap systemof FIG. 12;

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the left rod insert of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a central cross-section view a right end cap of the end capsystem of FIG. 12;

FIG. 19 another central cross-section view of the right end cap of FIG.18;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a right rod insert of the end capsystem of FIG. 12;

FIG. 21 is another perspective view of the right rod insert of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a cross-section view of a portion of an end cap systemaccording to another embodiment; and

FIG. 23 is a cross-section view of an end cap system according to yetanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an adjustable rod 10 witha hollow, inner rod 12 and a hollow, outer rod 14. The inner rod 12 istelescopically received in the outer rod 14 in order to adjust theoverall length of the adjustable rod 10. One end of the outer rod 14 isfitted with a first end cap assembly 16, and one end of the inner rod 12is fitted with a second end assembly 18. The end cap assemblies 16, 18engage opposing support surfaces and may be identical. As describedfurther below, the end cap assemblies 16, 18 also may be adjustable tofurther secure the adjustable rod 10 between support surfaces.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the adjustable rod 10 includes a lock mechanism20 interconnecting the inner and outer rods 12, 14. The lock mechanism20 includes a wedge shaft 22, a rod insert 24 and a wedge 26. The rodinsert 24 is attached to the inner rod 12 and extends into the outer rod14. Dimples 28 formed in the inner rod 12 can bite into the rod insert24 to hold the rod insert 24 against longitudinal and rotationalmovement relative to the inner rod 12. The wedge 26 is positioned in theouter rod 14, and the wedge shaft 22 operatively interconnects the rodinsert 24 and the wedge 26.

To secure the lock mechanism 20, the inner and outer rods 12, 14 areturned in opposite directions which causes the wedge 26 to be tightlyseated between the outer rod 14 and the rod insert 24. In situationswhere the end cap systems 16, 18 are adjustable, additional inward forceon the inner and outer rods 12, 14 caused by the end cap assemblies 16,18 during their adjustment can cause the inner and outer rods 12, 14 toinadvertently adjust relative to one another. FIG. 2 shows the lockmechanism 20 in an unlocked state, and FIG. 3 shows the lock mechanism20 in a locked state. With reference to FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 20provides an adjustment gap 30 that enables the lock mechanism 20 totighten even further when the end cap assemblies 16, 18 are adjusted.The adjustment gap 30 allows the wedge 26 to move further towards therod insert 24 to provide an even tighter seating of the wedge 26 betweenthe outer rod 14 and rod insert 24 to prevent unintentional shifting ofthe outer and inner rods 12, 14 relative to one another.

As shown in FIG. 5, the wedge shaft 22 includes a stepped head portion32, a shaft 34 and threading 36 along at least a portion of the shaft34. The stepped head portion 32 includes a terminal disc end 38 thatrotates in the wedge 26. Immediately inward of the terminal disc end 38is an annular flange 40 that moves the wedge 26 between the locked stateand unlocked states (FIGS. 2 and 3). The flange 40 includes an axiallyextending slot 42.

With reference to FIGS. 6-8, the rod insert 24 may be a two partcomponent with a first component 44 and a second component 46. The twocomponents 44, 46 are mirror images of one another except that the firstcomponent 44 may include a number of pegs 48 and the second component 46may include a number of complimentary sockets 50 for receiving the pegs48 to align the components 44, 46. The rod insert 24 defines an internalpassage 52 with a smooth portion 54 and a threaded portion 56. The wedgeshaft 22 extends through the internal passage 52, and the threading 36of the wedge shaft 22 engages with the threaded portion 56 of the rodinsert 24. The outer surface 58 of the threaded portion 56 iscylindrical, and the outer surface 60 of the smooth portion is conical.An annular step 62 transitions the cylindrical outer surface 56 with theconical outer surface 60. The step 62 engages an end of the inner rod 12to limit insertion of the rod insert 24 into the inner rod 12 to onlythe cylindrical outer surface 58.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the wedge 26 has a split configuration withan axially extending gap 64 and a conical outer surface 66. The wedge 26defines a longitudinally extending passage 68 with an annular stop 70 aton end. Immediately adjacent the annular stop is an annular recess 72that is intersected by an axially extending rib 74. Then, just inward ofthe annular recess 72 is an annular conical surface 76. The annularconical surface 76 slides against the outer conical surface 60 of therod insert 24 when moving the wedge 16 between the locked and unlockedstates.

With reference to FIG. 11, there is illustrated examples of left andright end cap assemblies 16, 18 that can be used with the above lockmechanism 20. These examples do not preclude the use of other types ofend cap systems that can be used with the lock mechanism 20. Theseexamples include a dual-mount end cap system 78. The dual-mount end capsystem 78 receives the ends of the inner and outer rods 12, 14 of theadjustable rod 10 described above.

In general, the dual-mounted end cap system 78 includes a left end capassembly 80 for the outer rod 14 and a right end cap assembly 82 for theinner rod 12. The left and right end cap assemblies 80, 82 include leftand right endcaps 84, 86, left and right threaded tube inserts 88, 90,left and right threaded endcap inserts 92, 94, fasteners 96, 98, andpads 100, 102. The left and right endcap inserts 92, 94 include apassage 104, 106, a flange 108, 110, a left-hand threaded portion 112 onthe left endcap insert 92, a right-hand threaded portion 114 on theright endcap insert 94, and a head 116, 118.

The adjustable rod 10 uses the lock mechanism 20 to set the rods 12, 14relative to one another and then can be turned so that the end capassemblies 80, 82 extend outward from the outer tubes 12, 14 to tightenagainst the two surfaces. The fasteners 96, 98 also can be used topre-mount the end cap assemblies 80, 82 to the surfaces. For example,the end cap assemblies 80, 82 can be first mounted to the walls at thedesired locations with the fasteners 96, 98. Then, the adjustable rod 10can be expanded and the ends of the rods 12, 14 can be inserted into theend cap assemblies 80, 82. This aids in the positioning of theadjustable rod 10 at its desired orientation (e.g., right height,lateral position and level). When the adjustable rod 10 is turned tooperate the threaded tube inserts 88, 90 and the threaded endcap inserts92, 94, the end caps 84, 86 are prevented from moving or walking aroundon the mounting surfaces.

When an end cap assembly places pressure on a mounting surface, therealso is a compressive force on the rods and the lock mechanism, such asthe lock mechanism 20. In some cases, the pressure exceeds the lockingforce of the lock mechanism, and the rods will slide inward relative toone another. However, the adjustment gap 30 of the lock mechanism 20 isformed because the longitudinal length of the annular recess 72 of thewedge 26 is slightly larger than the thickness of the annular flange 40of the wedge shaft 22. In one embodiment, the longitudinal length of theannular recess 72 may be 0.350 inches, and the thickness of the annularflange may be 0.254 inches, creating an adjustment gap of 0.096 inches.Overall, the adjustment gap 30 allows the compressive force to furthermove the rod insert 24 and the wedge 26 towards one another to increasethe locking force of the lock mechanism 20. This prevents the rods 12,14 from unintentionally slipping relative to one another. This assistsusers that may not be strong enough to initially set the lock mechanism20.

More specifically, to install the adjustable rod 10, the lock mechanism20 is first in the unlocked state, as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the innerand outer rods 12, 14 are pulled apart to set the desired length. Oncethe length is set, at least one of the rods 12, 14 is turned relative tothe other to activate the lock mechanism 20. For instance, the outer rod14 can be held stationary in one's left hand, while the inner rod 12 canbe turned with one's right hand towards the user's body. This will holdthe wedge 26 against rotating because an outer surface 120 of the wedge26 has a friction engagement with an inner surface 122 of the outer rod14. Alternatively, instead of holding the outer rod 14 stationary, italso can be turned with one's left hand away from one's bodysimultaneously with turning the inner rod 12. In either case, this willcause the rod insert 24 to turn and the threading 36 on the wedge shaft22 to engage the threaded portion 56 of the rod insert 24. This, inturn, will cause the annular flange 40 of the wedge shaft 22 to shift tothe inner side of the annular recess 72 to draw the wedge 26 toward therod insert 24. The annular conical surface 76 of the wedge 26 will ridealong the conical outer surface 66 of the rod insert 24. This forces thewedge 26 to lodge with a tight friction fit between the outer rod 14 andthe rod insert 24 to prevent the rods 12, 14 from moving relative to oneanother. The longitudinally extending gap 64 along the wedge 26 willwiden as the wedge 26 moves along the rod insert 24.

The adjustment gap 30 will allow the use of adjustable end cap systems,such as assemblies 80, 82, to further drive the wedge 26 onto theconical outer surface 60 of the rod insert 24 to provide further lockingforce. More specifically, as the adjustable end assemblies 80, 82 areactivated by turning the rods 12, 14 together in the same direction,such as towards the user, the end assemblies 80, 82 extend from the rods12, 14 and will apply a compressive force on the rods 12, 14. Thiscompressive force will cause the wedge 26 to automatically shift furtheralong the conical outer surface 60 of the rod insert 24 to lodge evenfurther between the outer rod 14 and the rod insert 24 to provide aneven righter friction fit between the outer rod 14 and the rod insert 24to prevent the rods 12, 14 from moving relative to one another.

The rib 74 of the wedge 26 sits in the longitudinally extending gap 42of the annular flange 40 of the wedge shaft 22. This keys the wedgeshaft 22 to the wedge 26 to prevent rotational movement between the two.

To undo the locking mechanism 20, the rods 12,14 are turned in thedirection opposite to the locking directions. In this operation, theannular flange 40 of the wedge shaft 22 engages the annular stop 70 atthe other side of the annular recess 72 of the wedge 26 and drives thewedge 26 down the conical outer surface 60 of the rod insert 24materials.

Turning now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated another adjustable rod 130with an outer rod 132 and an inner rod 134. The adjustable rod 130 mayinclude the lock mechanism 20 or other lock mechanisms. The adjustablerod 130 embodies alternate left and right end cap assemblies 136, 138.The end cap assemblies 136, 138 are the same except that the left endcap assembly 136 is sized for the outer rod 132 and the right end capassembly 138 is sized for the inner rod 134.

With reference to FIG. 13, the left end cap assembly 136 includes a leftend cap 140 and an outer rod insert 142. The right end cap assembly 138similarly includes a right end cap 144 and an inner rod insert 146. Theouter and inner rod inserts 142, 146 each include a first portion 148,150 that is received in one end of the outer and inner rods 132, 134,respectively, and a second portion 152, 154 that has a threadedengagement with its respective left and right end cap 140, 144. Thethreading is such that the outer and inner rods 132, 134 only need to beturned together in one direction to advance the end caps 140, 144outward relative to the outer and inner rods 132, 134 to further securethe adjustable rod 130 between two opposing mounting surfaces.

With respect to FIGS. 14 and 15, the left end cap 140 includes an outerannular body 156 and an inner annular body 158 interconnected at aninboard end 160 of the bodies 156, 158 and forming a space 162 betweenthe bodies 156, 158. As shown, the bodies 156, 158 include walls thatangle away from one another from the inboard end 160 to an outboard end164 such that the space 162 formed between the bodies 156, 158 has agenerally V-shaped cross-section. The outer profile of the outer body156 can be decorative or ornate. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 and15, the outer body 156 includes an inboard surface 204 and an outboardsurface 206. The inboard surface 204 increases in diameter from theinboard end 160 toward an outboard end 164 until it transitions to theoutboard surface 206. The outboard surface 206 decreases in diameterfrom the transition with the inboard surface 204 to the outboard end164. The outer body 156 thus has a substantially diamond cross-sectionalshape.

The outboard end 164 of the outer annular body 156 defines an annularrecess 166 that receives a mounting pad, such as mounting pad 102 of theend cap in FIG. 11. The mounting pad may be glued or welded into to therecess 166.

The inner annular body 158 defines a through passage 168 with an openend 170 and a closed end 172. The closed end 172 includes a hole 174through which a fastener (such as a nail or screw) can extend to attachthe left end cap 140 to a mounting surface. This makes the left end capsystem 136 a dual mount assembly in that it can be mounted using thefastener or the threaded engagement or both. The passage 168 includes athreaded portion 176 and rod receiving portion 178 inward of thethreaded portion 176. The threaded portion 176 includes threads 180 forengaging the second portion 152 of the outer rod insert 142. The threads180 could be discontinuous threading. The threads 180 are left-handedthreads. The rod receiving portion 178 has a larger inner diameter thanthe threaded portion 176.

A step 182 in the through passage 168 transitions between the threadedportion 176 and the rod receiving portion 178 of the body 158. Anaxially facing face 184 of the step 182 may engage an annular flange 186of the outer rod insert 142 to stop further threaded insertion of theouter rod insert 142 into the inner annular body 158.

In other embodiments, such as those shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the outerprofile of the outer body 156 and the space 162 between the bodies 156,158 may have different configurations. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 22and 23 are similar to the end cap assemblies 136, 138 of FIG. 12 in allrespects except for the outer profile of the bodies 156, 158 and thecross-sectional shape of space 162 formed in the bodies. For simplicity,the same reference numerals are used to indicate the features thatcorrespond to similar features of the end cap assemblies 136, 138 ofFIG. 12.

In FIG. 22, the outer body 156 is substantially bell-shaped. The innerannular body 158 is cylindrical and forms the threaded portion 176 andthe rod receiving portion 178 which has a greater diameter than thethreaded portion 176. The inner annular body 158 includes a step 208extending into the space 162 formed between the bodies 156, 158corresponding to the transition in diameter from the threaded portion176 to the rod receiving portion 178. A portion of the outer annularbody 156 defining the space 162 is substantially parallel to thethreaded portion 176 of the inner annular body 158. The outer annularbody 156 further includes a curved or arcuate cross-sectional surface210 within the space 162 that corresponds to a portion of thebell-shaped profile of the outer body 156 extending from thesubstantially parallel portion to the rod receiving portion 178 of theinner annular body 158. The outer body at the other end of a rodassembly may be same as outer body 156 but may be sized to accommodate arod of different diameter. For example, if the other rod is rod 12,which is the inner rod, then the diameters of the threaded portion 176and the rod receiving portion 178 may be smaller.

In FIG. 23, the outer body 156 is cone-shaped. The bodies 156,158defining the space 162 extend substantially parallel to one another suchthat the space 162 formed between the bodies 156, 158 has a rectangularcross-section. The cross-sectional shapes of the space 162 between theouter annular body 156 and the inner annular body 158 of the end caps140 of FIGS. 14-15, 22 and 23 are given by way of example and may haveother cross-sectional shapes. For example, the outer annular body 156and inner annular body 158 may be joined together at the inboard end 160to form an arcuate or rounded cross-sectional shape at the inboard end160 of the space 162.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, there is illustrated the outer rod insert142. The first portion 148 of the outer rod 142 insert includesthreading 188 which is left-handed threading that complements thethreading 180 of the threaded portion 176 of the left end cap 140. Thethreading 188 can be discontinuous threading and/or includes flats 190.The second portion 152 of the outer rod insert 142 includes axiallyextending ribs 192. The ribs 192 engage an inner surface 194 (FIG. 13)of the outer rod 132 with a tight friction fit with such that the twoare securely connected to one another. The second portion 152 includes achamfered end 196 that helps to insert the second portion 152 into anend 200 (FIG. 13) of the outer rod 132. The outer rod insert 142 can behollow and/or include a through passage 198. The annular flange 186includes a face 202 that engages the end 200 of the outer rod 132.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the right end cap 144 is the same as theleft end cap 140 except for one noteworthy difference. The difference isthat the threading 180 is right-handed threading. This is the oppositeof that for the left end cap 140 so that the rods 132, 134 can be turnedin the same direction to activate the left end cap system 136 and theright end cap system 138 at the same time. The same reference numeralsare applied to the figures for the right end cap 144 as for the left endcap 140.

Referring to FIGS. 20-21, the inner rod insert 146 is the same as theouter rod insert 142 except for two main differences. First, the outerdiameter of the second portion 154 of the inner rod insert 146 issmaller than the outer diameter of the second portion 152 of the outerrod insert 142 because the second portion 154 fits in the smaller innerdiameter of the inner rod 134. Second, the threading 180 is right-handedthreading. The same reference numerals are applied to the figures forthe inner rod insert 146 as for the outer rod insert 142.

The left-handed threading of the left end cap assembly 136 and theright-handed threading of the right end cap assembly 138 enable theouter and inner rods 132, 134 to be turned in the same direction toactivate the assemblies 136, 138. For example, with the outer rod toone's left and inner rod to one's right, the outer and inner rods 132,134 can be turned toward one's body to extend the end caps 140, 144 awayfrom the outer and inner rods 132, 134, respectively. In other words,the rods 132, 134 can be turned clockwise with respect to the right endcap assembly 138. The rods can be turned away from one's body (i.e.,counter-clockwise with respect to the right end cap assembly 138) toretract the end caps 140, 144.

The components of the lock mechanism and end cap systems may be madefrom plastic or metal or a combination of both.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanyingdrawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation.While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the broader aspects of the technologicalcontribution.

1-13. (canceled)
 14. An adjustable rod comprising: at least two rodsthat are adjustable relative to one another along a longitudinal axis; alock engaging the at least two rods to selectively lock the at least tworods relative to one another; a first end cap defining a socket andhaving internal threading at the socket; and a first rod insert havingan insertion portion and a threaded portion, the insertion portion beingsized to be received in a first rod of the at least two rods with afriction fit, and the threaded portion sized to extend beyond the firstrod, the threaded portion having external threading that mates with theinternal threading such that rotation of either the first end cap or thefirst rod relative to the other moves the first end cap longitudinallyrelative to the first rod.
 15. The adjustable rod of claim 14 whereinthe socket of the first end cap includes a socket bottom defining amounting opening for receiving a mounting fastener.
 16. The adjustablerod of claim 15 wherein the mounting fastener is sized to extend throughthe mounting opening and includes an enlarged portion that engages thesocket bottom around the mounting opening.
 17. The adjustable rod ofclaim 14 wherein the insertion portion of the first rod insert is withinthe first rod and the threaded portion extends from the first rod. 18.The adjustable rod of claim 17 wherein a stop portion disposed betweenthe insertion portion and the threaded portion engages the first rod toprevent further insertion of the insertion portion into the first rod.19. The adjustable rod of claim 14 wherein the socket of the first endcap includes a rod receiving portion and the first rod is extended intothe rod receiving portion.
 18. The adjustable rod of claim 17 whereinthe socket includes a threaded portion including the internal threadingand a step between the threaded portion and the rod receiving portion.19. The adjustable rod of claim 14 wherein the first end cap includes abottom and a sidewall extending away from the bottom to define thesocket.
 20. The adjustable rod of claim 19 wherein the first end capincludes an outer body surrounding at least a portion of the sidewall.20. The adjustable rod of claim 14 wherein the insertion portionincludes radial projections engaging the first rod in the friction fit.21. The adjustable rod of claim 14 further comprising a second endcapand a second rod insert, the second rod insert connecting the secondendcap and a second rod of the at least two rods.
 22. A method forinstalling an adjustable rod comprising: positioning a first end cap ona first structure; attaching the first end cap to the first structure byextending a first fastener through a first hole defined in the first endcap and inserting the first fastener into to the first structure;positioning a second end cap on a second structure; attaching the secondend cap to the second structure by extending a second fastener through asecond hole defined in the second end cap and inserting the secondfastener into the second structure; moving a first rod and a second rodrelative to one another to position a first end of the first rod intothe first end cap and a second end of the second rod into the second endcap, the first rod and the second rod being telescopically related toone another; rotating at least the first rod to connect the first end tothe first end cap, the first end cap defining a first socket and havingfirst internal threading at the first socket, the first end of the firstrod having a first rod insert having a first insertion portion extendinginto the first end of the first rod and a first threaded portionextending away from the first rod, the first threaded portion havingfirst external threading mating with the first internal threading suchthat rotation of the first rod connects the first rod to the first endcap and moves the first rod relative to the first end cap.
 23. Themethod of claim 22 further comprising selectively activating a lock tosecure the first rod and the second rod against movement relative to oneanother after moving the first rod and the second rod relative to oneanother to position the first end of the first rod into the first endcap and the second end of the second rod into the second end cap.
 24. Amethod of claim 22 further comprising turning the first fastener and thesecond fastener while inserting the first fastener into the first wallstructure and the second fastener into the second wall structure. 25.The method of claim 22 further comprising rotating at least the secondrod to connect the second end to the second end cap, the second end capdefining a second socket and having second internal threading at thesecond socket, the second end of the second rod having a second rodinsert having a second insertion portion extending into the second endof the second rod and a second threaded portion extending away from thesecond rod, the second threaded portion having second external threadingmating with the second internal threading such that rotation of thesecond rod connects the second rod to the second end cap and moves thesecond rod relative to the second end cap.
 26. An adjustable rodcomprising: at least two rods that are adjustable relative to oneanother along a longitudinal axis; a lock engaging the at least two rodssuch that rotation of the at least two rods relative to one anotherlocks the at least two rods relative to one another; a first end capdefining a first mounting hole used to mount the first end cap to afirst structure and defining a first socket sized to receive an endportion of a first rod of the at least two rods and to permit the endportion of the first rod to rotate as the first rod is rotated to lockthe at least two rods with the lock; and a first fastener sized toextend through the first mounting hole to mount the first end cap to thefirst structure.
 27. The adjustable rod of claim 26 wherein the firstend cap includes a first annular body and a first bottom defining thefirst socket and the first bottom defining the first mounting hole. 28.The adjustable rod of claim 26 further comprising a second end capdefining a second mounting hole used to mount the second end cap to asecond structure and defining a second socket sized to receive an endportion of a second rod of the at least two rods and to permit the endportion of the second rod to rotate as the second rod is rotated to lockthe at least two rods with the lock, and a second fastener sized toextend through the second mounting hole to mount the second end cap tothe second structure.
 29. The adjustable rod of claim 28 wherein thesecond end cap includes a second annular body and a second bottomdefining the second socket and the second bottom defining the firstmounting hole.
 30. The adjustable rod of claim 26 wherein the lockexpands as the at least two rods are rotated relative to one another.31. The adjustable rod of claim 30 wherein the lock includes a fixedwedge and a movable wedge that expands as the movable wedge engages thefixed wedge upon rotation of the at least two rods relative to oneanother.